Minnesota Public Radio Stories

• Minnesota monarch butterfly population falls
  Minnesota's monarch butterfly population is 38 percent below average this summer, according to preliminary statistics from the University of Minnesota. Cool, dry weather is likely the prime culprit, but ecologists also suspect human beings are playing a role.6:25 a.m.
• GOP governor candidates meet public in Roseville
  At least eight of nine Republicans on a growing list of gubernatorial hopefuls converged Thursday night in Roseville to make pitches for their campaigns during a GOP picnic.6:50 a.m.
• Mark Seeley discusses a strange week in weather
  Wednesday's severe weather in the Twin Cities metro area and surrounding region came as a surprise, since the morning forecasts that day did not suggest any chances for severe weather development. Meteorologist Mark Seeley talks about what happened with Morning Edition's Cathy Wurzer.6:55 a.m.
• What's next for the gang strike force?
  Four legislative committees convene next week to discuss a new report alleging widespread misconduct and even criminal behavior by members of the now-disbanded Metro Gang Strike Force. MPR reporter Tim Nelson discusses what's next.7:20 a.m.
• Health care town hall contentious, but polite
  Rep. Tim Walz got an earful from a packed auditorium in Mankato Thursday night.7:25 a.m.
• Idled Iron Range miners facing tough times
  Minnesota's taconite mining industry is starting to emerge from a downturn, but the rebound is slow to reach the towns of Hibbing and Keewatin, where taconite plants remain on extended shut-down.7:45 a.m.

National Public Radio Stories

• Public Option Divides Obama, Insurance Industry
  In the health care debate, insurance companies have come under criticism from the Obama administration. The insurance companies say they support changes to health care, though they oppose a so-called public option that would establish government-run insurance to compete with them.
• 46 Million Uninsured: A Look Behind The Number
  More than two-thirds of uninsured people in the United States are from families with one or more full-time workers. And the number of uninsured could be even higher, because the estimate was made before the recession.
• American Nuns Question Vatican Scrutiny
  Over the years, many U.S. nuns have acquired more liberal lifestyles and viewpoints. Now the Vatican has launched two investigations to evaluate how well American sisters are "living in fidelity" to the church's guidelines.
• Vineyard Resorts To Trading On Obama's Name
  President Obama and the first family will travel to Martha's Vineyard for a weeklong vacation. With "Barack-o-Tacos," "Ale to the Chief" brew and Obama-themed resort wear, business owners on the island are primed and ready — and hoping for a boost in sales.
• DNA Transplant Transforms Bacteria
  Researchers have successfully turned one bacterial species into another using DNA transplantation. Such "genome transplants" set the stage for creating synthetic life from scratch — a feat that may not be far away.
• Popular Car Rebate Program Ending Monday
  The Obama administration is ending the "cash for clunkers" program on Monday. The incentives generated nearly 500,000 vehicle sales and deals worth nearly $2 billion. Many dealers complain the government has been slow to reimburse them, but President Obama pledged Thursday to remedy that.
• After Summer Shutdown, Ohio GM Plant Reopens
  In Lordstown, Ohio, 2,200 people are back to work at an assembly plant where GM plans to build the Chevy Cruze, its new fuel-efficient subcompact. Due out next spring, the Cruze is seen by many as GM's best hope to turn the company around.
• German Prosecutors Raid Porsche Headquarters
  Federal prosecutors in Germany were searching for evidence that the luxury carmaker manipulated the market in its failed bid to acquire Volkswagen. It's the latest twist in the battle between the rival automakers who have been trying to take each other over.
• Musicians Look For Pay In An MP3 World
  It has been almost 10 years since Napster helped launch a revolution that turned the music industry on its head, allowing file-sharing fans to swap songs on the Web. In that time, music industry revenues have dropped by half. Does that mean the music will suffer?
• Peru, Bolivia At Odds Over Pageant Costume
  Karen Schwarz is representing Peru in the Miss Universe pageant. In the event's national-costume competition, she wore an elaborate outfit inspired by an Andean ritual called the Devil's Dance. Blovians say the dance originated in their country. A Peruvian newspaper discovered a pageant contestant from Chile first wore the outfit more than 25 years ago.

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